It’s another “park-shoot & run” back of a wintry waterfall! But this one also has remains of an old stone mill.
Nestled behind the stores of the small quaint town of New Preston is where you can park and see the 20 foot waterfall which once powered over 20 mills along the Aspetuck river. I have seen these falls referred to as Aspetuck Falls or New Preston Falls.
I noticed the water shooting out what looked to be a clear ice tube. I couldn’t tell if this was an actual tube or if it was the water that iced up forming what appeared to be a tube created by the cold?
Plastic or ice tube in the center?
Also you can see the remains of the old mill from back in the 1800s.
Old mill ruins
After the falls and the chill of winter stop by the colorful Sweeet (yes three “e”s) shop along E Shore road as well as several lovely design and antique shops.
“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately . . . “ starts a writing by Thoreau. This alone drew me initially to Hidden Valley Preserve for a hike several years ago.
I returned to see what it may look like with the light snow and impressive cold we have had to see if it was an attainable hike. Yes! Loved it!
The one thing I can’t understand is why the ice on the waters appear green. I do enhance the colors when I download the pictures but they were indeed with this green hue. Is it the water beneath? Is it the trees above? Mmmm
The views were breathtaking. I could hardly select which to share.
Again there were unique sounds of the river flowing against crackling ice.
However in this case there were blocks of ice and rocks along the river that had the water appear as if flowing through a maze.
You start the hike at the Thoreau bridge and continue to the next bridge and can loop back. Perhaps a couple of miles but I stopped so much it took me a while.
The above shot was a panorama shot from my phone. The Shepaug river kept me company throughout the loop literally grinning the whole way (hah we both were given the look of the shot above). So excited to share these opportunities. 🙂
In Stamford, Norwalk and Fairfield I can find the best Pho-Ga soup there is at Mecha Noodle. This works great in the winter months as each are relatively near a shoreline for a car picnic with a view! (Go with it, got to get creative with this pandemic 🙂
For those that know me, I basically optimize every minute of daylight (I pretty much turn into a pumpkin as night falls).
So when I had to wait 20 minutes for my soup I knew I had to see what may be around me! I jumped in the car and drove to the river nearby and found a park with a bridge and golden stalks against reflecting icy blue waters!
I could barely hold my excitement. There really is so much opportunity to find beauty and happiness in it when you decide to look and feel it. What an awesome 20 minutes!
Well it can’t stop there! I grabbed my soup and went to Calf Pasture beach as I can drive up and eat my soup! I happened to notice that the drive was along the Norwalk River Valley Trail bike path (Note to self for the spring)!
I parked in front of angled pylons going into the Sound. A bird was approaching to join his friends. I peeked out of the car to take some quick and otherwise pretty random shots. I was so happy to find when I got home that the birds reflection mirrored the angle of the pylons.
The day just kept on giving. So much to Take In going for Take Out 🙂
With the pandemic, I have expanded my outdoor adventures to the icy season. Normally you would find me with a hot chocolate and a fire indoors somewhere.
Today, it was 10 degrees with the windchill below zero. I decided to search for where I could drive-up and easily find “icy” photo ops.
It occurred to me that places where I kayak may be that option! This stop was at Jackson Cove along Lake Zoar in Oxford, CT. The edge of the launch site had plates of ice. It was hard to imagine I rode in these waters.
It was so incredibly cold that I did not take too much time finding the perfect shot but I was taken by the icy shoreline and the waves of shaved ice chunks that were being pushed against the edge. I likely should have taken a video to capture the unique sounds.
I made a second stop nearby along the lake at Kettletown State Park where I saw someone ice fishing! While the ice seemed thick I can’t imagine how he got himself set up out there!
All this is new to me – the sights, the sounds, the chill from the lake and the feeling of the patches of ice over the once hot sand. It’s invigorating! What gifts! Stay warm!
What’s not to like about this park. Short or long hikes, beautiful overlooks, kayaking, biking, wildlife and an awesome bridge with love locks and folklore. Not to mention it’s name, Lover’s Leap.
I have launched from the end of Lover’s Leap Road. It is not an easy launch site however so should not be done alone. The parking is a dirt road and then you need to either drive the kayak down to the river and return to park your car or carry the kayak down. But once that is all over the paddle is worth the effort.
Let’s go!
If you turn left from the launch you are in a small cove with a little tunnel which is fun as a start to the overall mystique of this paddle.
From there you would return to where you started and my recommendation would be to make the first right into the beautiful tall gorge.
I find the gorge so majestic around you and so much fun to paddle to then end to see the beautiful red bridge. You can continue straight beyond the bridge which I see most do (I believe that is towards Addis Park) but my preference is to turn left under a series of bridges and into the Still River (which I believe is towards Harry Brooke Park). I will definitely seek to return and walk Harry Brooke Park given what I’ve seen from the kayak but I have not yet been there.
My first paddle was at the end of summer and I was fortunate to see frogs, swans and blue Herons.
The best surprise however was just under a bridge into a small cove with a waterfall. I went back in the fall specifically to see the waterfall and all the birds that seem to live around it. The October visit was very brief but so memorable from the beauty.
While the launch is on the Housatonic River the waterfall is under the railroad trestle and to the right when looking at the map. This appears to be Still River. The fall foliage colors were stunning.
Opportunities for Reflection
The return offers beautiful views as well of the bridge and then Indian Farm house right beyond the gorge.
I would couple this park visit with a walk into the adorable town of New Milford in which there are several restaurants and cute stores. Due to the pandemic I didn’t return this year but in prior years that was a definite stop.
One my favorite inspirational shots was taken here as the sun went down on my visit. An easy moment to miss if you rush to leave. savor every opportunity and shoot for the moon!
Be Present Gift of the Day.
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In honor of Holocaust Remembrance day I recall my mother, who together with her sister were hidden in a Catholic school in southern France as children of the Holocaust.
As recently as 2016 I found the below picture within a French article which happened to include a picture of my mother and her sister (top row first on left and second row first on left).
We will be forever grateful to Madame Germaine (on the left below pictured with my aunt in center, many years later). Madame Germaine was recognized for her courage in hiding over 100 children and saving them from the horrors experienced by over 6 million who perished.
My mother and her sister were incredibly strong to make it through those years helping one another as well as the others. My aunt spoke of when the Nazis would come to call on the school. A warning message was sent by others and the Jewish children would run out of the home and hide on the property to avoid capture.
The below link is an article from France which speaks of the story of the Chateau and the genuine courage and kindness of Madame Germaine.
If ever I have a bad day, I pause and gain strength from recalling the stories I was told by my aunt of the challenges they experienced and overcame. Stories so many of us can only imagine. Stories we repeat in our minds and tell our children so they never occur again and we all can learn and improve and do better.
While this is my past, what I draw upon for courage and strength, each of us has a story, a history we can learn from, to draw from. Consider yours when you need to find strength.
Kayaking down the Bantam River is likely my favorite venue. It is filled with character and opportunity to enjoy the wildlife with so many photo ops!
The launch site is on White’s Woods Road and holds about 7 cars. It does fill up so keep that in mind. It’s also part of the White memorial Conservation Center which has so many other options as well for outdoor adventures.
It was here that I first decided to be bold and carry my real camera on board the kayak instead of just using my cell phone.
It’s approximately a 2.5 mile ride to Bantam Lake. This river is known for its beaver dams so we found it beneficial to carry a strong stick with us to push off rocks to get over some of them. I never did see a beaver but I have seen loads of turtles, ducks, lily pads, herons and fish swimming just below the surface.
Once you hit Bantam lake you have the true lake experience where you need to watch for motor boats. If you go to the right you do hit a small beach where you can have a picnic and take a break. We would stop there and then return for the ride back.
From there we put away the kayak and grabbed our bikes! We rode for lunch to West Shore Seafood, 449 Bantam Lake Rd, Morris, CT, which is a few miles away around the other side of Bantam Lake. It has great food and picnic tables. On the drive back we stop at Arethusa for ice cream in Bantam proper.
Both kayaking and biking really made this one of my top choices for an awesome day of exercise and to be present! It’s also way better than a world of make believe Disney safari!
I went for the falls but I got chills from the icicles!
The approach to the falls suddenly appeared down a hill where you find not one but two water drops from a ledge! It was freezing with wind chills of 10-15 degrees so I was so excited to see them after about a 15. Minute walk from the lot.
As I approached further I found the icicles lined up the ledges along the side of the falls. The stream in front of the falls had rocks beckoning me to cross. I cautiously and slowly made it up the side of the ledge to the long icicles and was so excited to find different angles to capture them- sides, up, down!
I realized I could go under the ledge and take a picture through the icy curtain.
I then slid back down the ledge in my old snow pants and crossed the river back to safety! I seriously slid by the way as the leaves and rocks were covered with ice. A real fun find for a short hike in the winter with some “cool” rewards!
Had to sneak one in with me to show the size of the icicles. 🙂 It was cold!
Facebook commentary to assist: Located in East Glastonbury at the Hebron Town line, this 80 acre parcel of open space is largely wooded. It contains hiking trails, a pond and a streambelt.
Directions Route 2 East to Exit 8 Hebron Avenue. Take a left an end of exit onto Hebron Avenue and go about 10 miles. Black Ledge Falls will be on your left (if you see the Hebron Town Line sign, you have gone too far).
Route 2 West to Exit 10. Take a right at end of exit ramp onto Manchester Road. Follow Manchester Road (about 3-4 miles) to the intersection with Hebron Avenue. Take a right at that stop light and go about 6 miles or so on Hebron Avenue. Black Ledge Falls will be on your left (if you see the Hebron Town Line sign, you have gone too far).
A magical winter wonderland walk around the pond and along an icy stream is what you’ll find at Burr Pond State Park in Torrington.
Nice 3 mile loop trail around the pond. I only went for a bit before the snow, ice and the sun fading had me return. Definitely a fun pond edge to roam. To its credit, it even reminded me of one of the walks around a lake in the famous Acadia National Park due to the rock scrambles.
Gift to be Present
As I now do, I went off the beaten path for a photo op. I am definitely becoming more courageous about climbing over fallen trees and slipping down the sliding slopes to get to the waters edge. I now wear old snow pants to accommodate. But the above shot was definitely a gift due to being present.
While I was there the flurries started to fall. It made a light coating on all the rocks and slowly disappeared into the water. I would never have done this in prior years. So happy to find it now.
As I left I noticed this tree whose roots were like legs crossed as if seated and embracing the rock at the waters edge.
I looked forward to completing the loop, hiking the other trails and kayaking in the spring.
I enjoyed a delicious Greek lunch at Yai Yai in Torrington following. Fun day trip!
Favorite winter activities are chasing icicles and “forbidden” sunsets. Capturing sunsets during the off season at locations that are otherwise for residents only. This evening brought me to Long Beach in Stratford.
It was 25 degrees today but the windchill was around 15! But I had not seen a recent sunset so darn it if I wasn’t going to see one tonight.
It was a very clear day which was lovely but the sky did not necessarily have a lot of character. That’s when I need to have some degree of creativity.
I noticed the glow on the sand and the stone jetty with the wind forcing the water to spray against the rocks. The colors were glowing against the shells and the water so I knelt low to see if I could capture them sparkling.
I was pretty surprised how well the sun’s glow reflected in the receding Long Island sound as the droplets sparkled on the shells.
I started to snap the sun setting against the horizon when the ferry began to approach! My camera’s focus kept faltering. I wondered if I would be fortunate to get the center shot.
And then there it was. The sun’s glow through the windows of the ferry. Exciting to capture, exciting to share another drive up sunset in an area which in season may not be as easy to see!
Pivot and Pause in New England 